Gaming system, gaming device and method for wagering game having a unique bonus round play

ABSTRACT

A gaming system, a gaming machine and a method is provided in which the player plays a primary game or a base game on a gaming device. During the play of the primary game or the base game, the player accrues value points. At one or more times, a player participates in a bonus event. The player may apply accrued value points to the bonus round to increase a payout for a winning bonus event result. The bonus event may be triggered randomly or it may be triggered when the player accrues a threshold number of value points. If the bonus event is triggered before the player reaches the threshold value any value points which were not already allocated to the bonus event by the player are lost. The bonus event may comprise an online-related social-networking game.

RELATED APPLICATION DATA

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser.No. 60/374,554, filed on Aug. 17, 2010.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This application relates primarily to gaming machines and wageringgames.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Present video slot games for the most part have five reels in three ormore lines. When certain icons line up on a valid pay line, the gametriggers a bonus round. Bonus rounds are usually simple with someinteresting capability, but rely on music, sound and some game lay toentertain the player.

Slot machines have also been provided as wagering games for many years.Gaming device manufactures have long provided gaming machines referredto as slot machines which employ a plurality of slot reels and each reelhas a plurality of slot symbols. Initially, the slot machines hadmechanical reels and the slot symbols were imprinted on the reels.

A subsequent advancement in slot machines was the video or CRT screenslot machine, wherein the reels were simulated as opposed to mechanical.Video slot machines do not have mechanical drums or reels which rotate,do not need to precisely stop the same at certain positions and aretherefore not limited by a maximum allowable drum radius. Each reel canhave an unlimited number of stops.

In known gaming systems, the percentage of obtaining a winningcombination is set. In certain known progressive gaming machines, thepayout of a grand prize grows each time a player plays the machine. Theincreasing payout increases the total coins or credits paid, which inturn increases the overall payout percentage. Nevertheless, thepercentage of times that a player will receive one of the combinationsremains constant.

Gaming machines which provide players awards in primary or base gamesare well known. Gaming machines generally require the player to place ormake a wager to activate the primary or base game. In many of thesegaming machines, the award in the primary or base game is based on theplayer obtaining a winning symbol or symbol combination and on theamount of the wager (i.e., the higher the wager, the higher the award).Symbols or symbol combinations which are less likely to occur usuallyprovide higher awards.

In such known gaming machines, the amount of the wager made on the basegame by the player may vary. For instance, the gaming machine may enablethe player to wager a minimum number of credits, such as one credit(each credit being worth a monetary denomination, e.g., one cent,nickel, dime, quarter or dollar) up to a maximum number of credits, suchas five credits. This wager may be made by the player a single time ormultiple times in a single play of the primary game. For instance, aslot machine game may have one or more pay lines and the slot gameenables the player to make a wager on each pay line in a single play ofthe primary game. Slot games with 1, 3, 5, 9, 15 and 25 lines are widelycommercially available. Thus, it is known that a gaming machine, such asa slot game, enables players to make wagers of substantially differentamounts on each play of the primary or base game ranging, for example,from one credit up to 125 credits (e.g., five credits on each of 25separate pay lines). It should be appreciated that different playersplay at substantially different wagering amounts or levels and atsubstantially different rates of play.

Secondary or bonus games are also known in gaming machines. Thesesecondary or bonus games usually provide an additional award to theplayer. Secondary or bonus games usually do not require (but mayrequire) an additional wager by the player to be activated. Secondary orbonus games are generally activated or triggered upon an occurrence of adesignated triggering symbol or triggering symbol combination in theprimary or base game of the gaming machine. For instance, a bonus symboloccurring on a pay line on the third reel of a three reel slot machinemay trigger the secondary bonus game on that gaming device. Part of theenjoyment and excitement of playing certain gaming machines is theoccurrence or triggering of the secondary or bonus game (even before theplayer knows how much the bonus award will be). In other words,obtaining a bonus event and a bonus award in the bonus event is part ofthe enjoyment and excitement for players.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the invention comprise a gaming machine, a gaming systemincluding one or more gaming machines, and methods of presenting andplaying games.

In one embodiment, a gaming system, a gaming machine and a method isprovided in which a player plays one or more primary or base games and,at one or more times, a bonus round or event. During the play of theprimary or base game(s), the player accrues value points. The player mayallocate or “spend” accrued value points on the bonus event, such byallocating them to one or more features of the bonus event, in order toincrease winnings paid for a winning outcome for the bonus event.

A player may be awarded value points based upon wagers placed to playthe base game. In another embodiment, a player may be awarded valuepoints based upon the occurrence of a particular event or outcome of abase game.

The bonus round or event may be initiated or triggered at various times,such as randomly or based upon the occurrence of a particular event oroutcome during a base game. The player may be permitted to utilize valuepoints at any time during play of the primary or base game(s). In apreferred embodiment, however, if a bonus event is triggered before aplayer has reached a designated threshold of points and the player hasnot used their value points, the player loses unused points.

In a preferred embodiment, the bonus event is automatically triggered orinitiated if the player accrues a designated threshold of points. Inthat event, the player retains their points and is permitted to allocateor spend their points on the bonus event or the points are automaticallyallocated.

In one embodiment, the base game may comprise a wagering game played ata gaming machine. The bonus event may comprise a game or event presentedat the same gaming machine or another gaming machine, or may comprise anon-line game such as an entertaining game, multi-player game or socialmedia type game. In another embodiment, the base game might comprisesuch an on-line game and the bonus event might comprise a base orprimary game or a bonus game presented at a gaming device.

Further objects, features, and advantages of the present invention overthe prior art will become apparent from the detailed description of thedrawings which follows, when considered with the attached figures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of one embodiment of a gaming device of thepresent disclosure used for a slot machine game.

FIG. 2A is a schematic diagram of the electronic configuration of oneembodiment of a gaming device of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2B is a schematic diagram of a gaming system including the datanetwork that one or more of the gaming devices of the present disclosuremay be connected to.

FIG. 3 is a front view of one embodiment of a gaming device of thepresent disclosure used for a bonus round of a slot machine game.

FIG. 4 is a front view of one embodiment of a gaming device of thepresent disclosure used for a bonus round of a slot machine game.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth inorder to provide a more thorough description of the present invention.It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art, that thepresent invention may be practiced without these specific details. Inother instances, well-known features have not been described in detailso as not to obscure the invention.

In one embodiment, a gaming system, a gaming machine and a method isprovided in which a player plays one or more primary or base games and,at one or more times, a bonus round or event. In a preferred embodiment,the primary or base game is a wager-based game.

During the play of the primary or base game(s), the player accrues valuepoints. The player may allocate or “spend” accrued value points on thebonus event, such by allocating them to one or more features of thebonus event, in order to increase winnings paid for a winning outcomefor the bonus event.

A player may be awarded value points based upon wagers placed to playthe base game. In another embodiment, a player may be awarded valuepoints based upon the occurrence of a particular event or outcome of abase game.

The bonus round or event may be initiated or triggered at various times,such as randomly or based upon the occurrence of a particular event oroutcome during a base game. The player may be permitted to utilize valuepoints at any time during play of the base game. In a preferredembodiment, however, if a bonus event is triggered before a player hasreached a designated threshold of points and the player has not usedtheir value points, the player loses unused points.

In a preferred embodiment, the bonus event is automatically triggered orinitiated if the player accrues a designated threshold of points. Inthat event, the player retains their points and is permitted to allocateor spend their points on the bonus event or they are automaticallyallocated.

In one embodiment, the base game may comprise a wagering game played ata gaming machine. The bonus event may comprise a game or event presentedat the same gaming machine or another gaming machine, or may comprise anon-line game such as an entertainment game, multi-player game or socialmedia related game. In another embodiment, the base game might comprisesuch an on-line game and the bonus event might comprise a base orprimary game or a bonus game presented at a gaming device.

In one embodiment, the invention is referred by the name “Project Nemo.”In a preferred embodiment, the project comprises a new gaming factor forthe video slot market, though aspects of the invention may be applied toa wide variety of games and gaming devices.

From known numbers of companies like ZYNGA and other companies of thistype, people will play games and invest money in a free game to getbetter awards, magic spells, bigger guns and faster cars that can beused in the game. The base game is free; the add-ons cost money. Inaddition, current slot machines already take in money, but there are nofree games except in the game that offers free spins.

In one configuration, Project Nemo comprises a game in which all monieswhich are wagered by a player result in the generation of value points.These value points may be displayed to a player, such as via a gamemeter. In this configuration, no matter whether a player wins or losesthe game, the value points accumulate on each bet or wager. The valuepoints might be awarded and accrue based upon a player's wager and/orbased upon the occurrence of one or more events (such as the receipt ofa particular base game symbol) base game outcomes. Value points arepreferably awarded independent of monetary winnings for winning basegame outcomes.

This aspect of the invention may be applied to a slot-type game, whethersuch is a mechanical reel or video slot type game, as well as othergames. Relative to the other features described herein, such a game maybe referred to as a base or primary game.

At one or more times, a bonus round or event is presented. As detailedherein, the bonus round or event may comprise any number of eventspresented in any number of ways. For example, the bonus round or eventmay comprise a bonus event presented at the same gaming machine at whichthe player played the base or primary game. The bonus event might bepresented by the same display devices at the gaming machine which wereused to present the base or primary game, or other display devices. Forexample, the base or primary game might be presented by primary slotreels or a primary video display and the bonus game or event might bepresented by a set of secondary reels or a secondary video display. Suchsecondary display devices might, for example, be located in a top box ofthe gaming machine. In another embodiment, the bonus game or event mightbe presented at a different gaming machine or device, includingcomprising an on-line game or event.

In accordance with the invention, a player is permitted to use one ormore or all of their value points to improve the payout or winnings fora winning outcome of the bonus event. For example, in one embodiment,the bonus event may have one or more features or elements. The playermay be permitted to allocate value points to one or more of thosefeatures or elements. For example, as described below, the bonus eventelements might comprise segments of a bonus wheel. The player mightallocate value points to one or more segments such that if one of thesegments that the player associated value points to is selected as theoutcome of the bonus event, the points increase the payout or winningsfor that winning outcome. A player might allocate value points evenly orunevenly. For example, a player might allocate all of their value pointsto a particular wheel segment that they think is going to be winning inorder to maximize the payout for a win if that segment is selected.

The bonus round or event may be initiated or triggered at various times,such as randomly or based upon the occurrence of a particular event oroutcome during a base game. The player may be permitted to utilize valuepoints at any time during play of the base game. In a preferredembodiment, however, if a bonus event is triggered before a player hasreached a designated threshold of points and the player has not usedtheir value points, the player loses any unused points.

As one example, a player might have accrued 150 points while playing thebase game. A player might opt to spend 100 of those points on a featureof the bonus event. For example, a player might touch an on-screenbutton to spend those points. However, if the bonus round were initiatedupon the next base game play, the player would lose the remaining 50points that they did not already allocate to the bonus event.

When a certain predetermined value point is reached, the player ispreferably entitled to participate in a bonus round or event. In apreferred embodiment, the bonus event or round is automaticallyinitiated or triggered when the player accrues the designated number ofpoints. In that event, the player is then given the opportunity toallocate or spend all of their accrued value points. If the player doesnot do so, they may be automatically allocated or assigned. For example,the gaming machine might provide the player a certain period of time toallocate their points and if they are not allocated during that timeperiod, the gaming machine may randomly allocate them or distribute themevenly to all features.

As one particular example, the bonus event might comprise the well knownsocial network game FARMVILLE. The player might play that game as abonus event at a gaming machine or on-line. For example, a player whoaccrues the designated number of points may be sent to the beginning ofthe bonus round. In the case of FARMVILLE, players tend crops,livestock, improve fare machinery, paint the barn, etc. The player canspend or allocate the value points on doing the same thing within thebonus event. For example, a player might spend or allocate points toimprove a corn crop, obtain more fertilizer, to yield a bigger crop. Orthe player can spend the value points for more hay form the cows, orbetter hay, or to obtain clover instead of straw.

In this configuration, the player takes time from the base game when thegame allows, at a predetermined value point amount. So the money bet bythe player in the base video slot game is, in theory, not wasted. Infact, the bonus event is entertaining and exciting and the player isenticed to play more occurrences of the primary or base game in order toaccrue more value points for use in the bonus event.

So why tend the farm? Simple, the value points increase the harvest ofcorn. For example, if a player isolates all the value points on the corncrop, when the bonus round is triggered in normal play, and a randomdraw is played, if the wheel of fortune spins and lands on, in thiscase, corn, the value of the win will be multiplied by the amount ofvalue points the player has dedicated to the corn crop.

In its preferred configuration, Project Nemo gives a double game play toa normal bonus round video slot machine, letting the player see thebonus round and interact with the bonus round. Building up the value ofthe potential outcome of the bonus round trigger.

As indicated above, one aspect of the invention comprises a game havinga traditional gaming machine component (such as the play of a base gameat a physical gaming machine at a casino), and an on-line aspect.Further, the on-line aspect might comprise or tie into existing networkgames or events, including those offered through social media sites suchas FACEBOOK or other sites on the Internet.

At the present time, online wager-based gaming is not legal. Onlineaspects of the game may be presented, nonetheless, however. For example,a player might collect points or the like via wagering game play whichthe player could use in a non-wagering on-line bonus event, such as toimprove their chances of winning. As one example, an online bonus eventmight comprise an entertaining skill fighting game where a player'scollected points could be used on armor, ammunition or the like, inorder to improve the player's chance of winning the game. In addition,once aspects of on-line wagering become legal, the bonus events of theinvention may be modified in accordance with permitted on-line gaming.

In addition, the gaming systems and gaming machines may allow directcommunication to the “social network” configurations that reside on theinternet. This allow the player the ability to post scores, winnings,location, etc. either directly from a gaming device or vial an emailsent from players card to a central mail server. The gamblingestablishment if properly afforded the technology to capture and postdata either the email of the player or directly to FACEBOOK, as anexample.

Social networking works in many ways, but the main component is theability for a user to share experiences with digital friends around theworld. The potential increase for casinos is unknown, however, casinospay for the ability to attract new players, with various promotions.These promotions however are for the most part “giveaway” promotionscosting the casino by average $50 to $90 per player. Retention of theplayer is afforded by further giveaways and promotional monies expendedon the part of the casino. Through this social network framework, thecasino would lower or eliminate the need for giveaways and playercapture and retention would be essentially free.

In destination casinos where the player comes to visit but does notreturn home of the same day, such as casinos in Las Vegas, once theplayer leaves the casino to return home, the casino no longer has adirect connection to the player. Most mail or email sent to the playeris going to possibly reinforce the brand, i.e. the casino, but it doesnot keep the casino in the mind of the player. Using the Project Nemogame bonus mechanism, there is constant player involvement with thecasino and the game.

The game may mutate to an online game where the player can, if he sochooses, buy extra items to improve his real estate. These monies couldbe shared with the casino and the player could with these purchases gaingreater credits from the casino for future visit upgrades.

Gaming is not a leader in any market of game creation. Gaming is behindthe times, systems are slow, and now just now, network download gamingis being touted by the major suppliers. The gaming events describedherein do not require any specialized hardware and can instead readilybe implemented by software.

Various embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a gaming systemor a gaming machine for providing a slot machine game, and methods ofplaying and operating a slot machine game through a gaming device.

The present disclosure may be implemented in various configurations forgaming machines, gaming devices, or gaming systems, including but notlimited to: (1) a dedicated gaming machine, gaming device, or gamingsystem wherein the computerized instructions for controlling any games(which are provided by the gaming machine or gaming device) are providedwith the gaming machine or gaming device prior to delivery to a gamingestablishment, and (2) a changeable gaming machine, gaming device, orgaming system wherein the computerized instructions for controlling anygames (which are provided by the gaming machine or gaming device) aredownloadable to the gaming machine or gaming device through a datanetwork after the gaming machine or gaming device is in a gamingestablishment.

Gaming machine manufacturers, such as IGT of Reno, Nev., implement thesevarious configurations for gaming machines, gaming devices and gamingsystems in various embodiments.

In one embodiment, the computerized instructions for controlling anygames are executed by at least one central server, central controller,or remote host. In such a “thin client” embodiment, the central serverremotely controls any games (or other suitable interfaces) and thegaming device is utilized to display such games (or suitable interfaces)and receive one or more inputs or commands from a player.

In another embodiment, the computerized instructions for controlling anygames are communicated from the central server, central controller, orremote host to a gaming device local processor and memory devices. Insuch a “thick client” embodiment, the gaming device local processorexecutes the communicated computerized instructions to control any games(or other suitable interfaces) provided to a player.

In one embodiment, one or more gaming devices in a gaming system may bethin client gaming devices and one or more gaming devices in the gamingsystem may be thick client gaming devices. In another embodiment,certain functions of the gaming device are implemented in a thin clientenvironment and certain other functions of the gaming device areimplemented in a thick client environment. In one such embodiment,computerized instructions for controlling any primary games arecommunicated from the central server to the gaming device in a thickclient configuration and computerized instructions for controlling anysecondary games or bonus functions are executed by a central server in athin client configuration.

Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows a gaming device 10. In theembodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, gaming device 10 has a supportstructure, housing, or cabinet which provides support for a plurality ofdisplays, inputs, controls, and other features of a conventional gamingmachine. It is configured so that a player can operate it while standingor sitting. The gaming device 10 can be positioned on a base or stand orcan be configured as a pub-style table-top game (not shown) which aplayer can operate preferably while sitting. The gaming device 10 mayhave varying cabinet and display configurations.

In one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 2A, the gaming device 10preferably includes at least one processor 12, such as a microprocessor,a microcontroller-based platform, a suitable integrated circuit or oneor more application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC's). The processor12 is in communication with or operable to access or to exchange signalswith at least one data storage or memory device 14. In one embodiment,the processor 12 and the memory device 14 reside within the cabinet ofthe gaming device. The memory device 14 stores program code andinstructions, executable by the processor, to control the gaming device10. The memory device 14 also stores other data such as image data,event data, player input data, random or pseudo-random numbergenerators, pay-table data or information, and applicable game rulesthat relate to the play of the gaming device 10. In one embodiment, thememory device 14 includes random access memory (RAM): which can includenon-volatile RAM (NVRAM), magnetic RAM (MRAM), ferroelectric RAM(FeRAM), and other forms as commonly understood in the gaming industry.In one embodiment, the memory device 14 includes read only memory (ROM).In one embodiment, the memory device 14 includes flash memory and/orEEPROM (electrically erasable programmable read only memory). Any othersuitable magnetic, optical, and/or semiconductor memory may operate inconjunction with the gaming device 10 disclosed herein.

In one embodiment, part or all of the program code and/or operating datadescribed above can be stored in a detachable or removable memory deviceincluding, but not limited to, a suitable cartridge, disk, CD ROM, DVD,or USB memory device. In other embodiments, part or all of the programcode and/or operating data described above can be downloaded to thememory device through a suitable network.

In one embodiment, an operator or a player can use such a removablememory device in a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a personaldigital assistant (PDA), a portable computing device, or anothercomputerized platform to implement the present disclosure. In oneembodiment, the gaming device or gaming machine disclosed herein isoperable over a wireless network, for example part of a wireless gamingsystem. In this embodiment, the gaming machine may be a hand-helddevice, a mobile device, or any other suitable wireless device thatenables a player to play any suitable game at a variety of differentlocations. It should be appreciated that a gaming device or gamingmachine as disclosed herein may be a device that has obtained approvalfrom a regulatory gaming commission or a device that has not obtainedapproval from a regulatory gaming commission. It should be appreciatedthat the processor 12 and memory device 14 may be collectively referredto herein as a “computer” or “controller.”

In one embodiment, the gaming device randomly generates awards and/orother game outcomes based on probability data. In one such embodiment,this random determination is provided through utilization of a randomnumber generator (RNG), such as a true random number generator, a pseudorandom number generator, or other suitable randomization process. In oneembodiment, each award or other game outcome is associated with aprobability and the gaming device generates the award or other gameoutcome to be provided to the player based on the associatedprobabilities. In this embodiment, since the gaming device generatesoutcomes randomly or based upon one or more probability calculations,there is no certainty that the gaming device will ever provide theplayer with any specific award or other game outcome.

In another embodiment, the gaming device employs a predetermined orfinite set or pool of awards or other game outcomes. In this embodiment,as each award or other game outcome is provided to the player, thegaming device flags or removes the provided award or other game outcomefrom the predetermined set or pool. Once flagged or removed from the setor pool, the specific provided award or other game outcome from thatspecific pool cannot be provided to the player again. This type ofgaming device provides players with all of the available awards or othergame outcomes over the course of the play cycle and guarantees theamount of actual wins and losses.

In one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the gaming device 10includes one or more display devices 20 controlled by the processor. Thedisplay devices are preferably connected to or mounted on the cabinet ofthe gaming device 10. The embodiment shown in FIG. 1 includes a centraldisplay device 20 which displays a primary game.

This display device may also display any suitable secondary game, bonusgame or bonus round associated with the primary game as well asinformation relating to the primary or secondary game. In the embodimentshown in FIG. 1, a lower display device 22 may also serve as digital ornon-digital glass operable to advertise games or other aspects of thegaming establishment.

As seen in FIG. 1, in one embodiment, the gaming device includes acredit display 24 which displays a player's current number of credits,cash, account balance, or the equivalent. In one embodiment, the gamingdevice includes a bet display 25 which displays a player's amountwagered. In one embodiment, the gaming device includes a WIN displaylocation 26 which displays a player's amount won on any particular roundof play of the game.

In another embodiment, at least one display device may be a mobiledisplay device, such as a PDA or tablet PC, which enables play of atleast a portion of the primary or secondary game at a location remotefrom the gaming device.

The display devices may include, without limitation, a monitor, atelevision display, a plasma display, a liquid crystal display (LCD) adisplay based on light emitting diodes (LEDs), a display based on aplurality of organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), a display based onpolymer light-emitting diodes (PLEDs), a display based on a plurality ofsurface-conduction electron-emitters (SEDs), a display including aprojected and/or reflected image, or any other suitable electronicdevice or display mechanism. In one embodiment, as described in moredetail below, the display device includes a touch-screen with anassociated touch-screen controller. The display devices may be of anysuitable size and configuration, such as a square, a rectangle, or anelongated rectangle.

The display devices of the gaming device are configured to display atleast one and preferably a plurality of game or other suitable images,symbols and indicia such as any visual representation or exhibition ofthe movement of objects such as mechanical, virtual, or video reels andwheels, dynamic lighting, video images, images of people, characters,places, things, faces of cards, and the like.

As illustrated in FIG. 2A, in one embodiment, the gaming device 10includes at least one payment device 62 in communication with theprocessor 12. As seen in FIG. 1, a payment device such as a paymentacceptor includes a note, ticket or bill acceptor 52 wherein the playerinserts paper money, a ticket, or voucher and a coin slot (not shown)where the player inserts money, coins, or tokens. In other embodiments,payment devices such as readers or validators for credit cards, debitcards or credit slips may accept payment. In one embodiment, a playermay insert an identification card into a card reader 27 of the gamingdevice. In one embodiment, the identification card is a smart cardhaving a programmed microchip or a magnetic strip coded with a player'sidentification, credit totals (or related data), and other relevantinformation. In another embodiment, a player may carry a portabledevice, such as a cell phone, a radio frequency identification tag, orany other suitable wireless device, which communicates a player'sidentification, credit totals (or related data), and other relevantinformation to the gaming device. In one embodiment, money may betransferred to a gaming device through electronic funds transfer. When aplayer funds the gaming device, the processor 12 determines the amountof funds entered and displays the corresponding amount on the creditdisplay 24 or other suitable display as described above.

As seen in FIG. 2A, in one embodiment, the gaming device 10 includes atleast one and preferably a plurality of input devices 30 incommunication with the processor 12. The input devices can include anysuitable device which enables the player to produce an input signalwhich is received by the processor 12. In one embodiment, afterappropriate funding of the gaming device, the input device is a gameactivation device as shown in FIG. 1, such as a SPIN REELS button 36, aSPIN REELS touch screen location or a pull arm (not shown) which is usedby the player to start any primary game or sequence of events in thegaming device. The input device can also include any suitable playactivator such as a BET ONE button 34 or a BET ONE touch screenlocation, a BET MAX button 35 or a BET MAX touch screen location.

As shown in FIG. 1, all or a portion of the video screen 20 may beprovided as a touch screen which allows the player to effect variousactions by touching the associated location on the touch screen.Additionally, buttons for performing various actions can be located onthe button panel 37 of the gaming machine 10. Any suitable combination,arrangement, or configuration of touch screen locations and buttons canbe used. For example, a SEE PAYS touch screen location can be used bythe player to activate a different screen display that shows the paytables being used in the game.

In one embodiment, upon appropriate funding, the gaming device beginsthe game play automatically. In another embodiment, upon the playerengaging one of the play buttons, the gaming device automaticallyactivates game play.

In one embodiment, the player places a bet by pushing the BET ONE button34 or BET ONE touch screen location. The player can increase the bet byone credit each time the player pushes the BET ONE button 34 or BET ONEtouch screen location. When the player pushes the BET ONE button 34 orBET ONE touch screen location, the number of credits shown in the creditdisplay 24 preferably decreases by one, and the number of credits shownin the bet display 25 preferably increases by one. In anotherembodiment, the BET MAX button 35 or the BET MAX touch screen locationenables the player to bet the maximum wager permitted for a game of thegaming device.

In one embodiment, one input device is a CASH OUT button 32. The playermay push the CASH OUT button 32 and cash out to receive a cash paymentor other suitable form of payment corresponding to the number ofremaining credits. In one embodiment, when the player cashes out, apayment device, such as a ticket, payment, or note generator 28 printsor otherwise generates a ticket or credit slip to provide to the player.The player receives the ticket or credit slip and may redeem the valueassociated with the ticket or credit slip via a cashier (or othersuitable redemption system). In another embodiment, when the playercashes out, the player receives the coins or tokens in a coin payouttray. It should be appreciated that any suitable payout mechanisms, suchas funding to the player's electronically recordable identificationcard, may be implemented in accordance with the gaming device disclosedherein.

In one embodiment as mentioned above and as seen in FIG. 2A, one inputdevice is a touch-screen 68 coupled with a touch-screen controller 64 orsome other touch-sensitive display overlay to allow for playerinteraction with the images on the display. The touch-screen and thetouch-screen controller are connected to a video controller 66. A playercan make decisions and input signals into the gaming device by touchingthe touch-screen at the appropriate locations. One such input device isa conventional touch-screen button panel.

The gaming device may further include a plurality of communication portsfor enabling communication of the processor with external peripherals,such as external video sources, expansion buses, game or other displays,a SCSI port, or a keypad.

In one embodiment, as seen in FIG. 2A, the gaming device includes asound generating device controlled by one or more sounds cards 68 whichfunction in conjunction with the processor. In one embodiment, the soundgenerating device includes at least one and preferably a plurality ofspeakers 70 or other sound generating hardware and/or software forgenerating sounds, such as by playing music for the primary and/orsecondary game or by playing music for other modes of the gaming device,such as an attract mode. In one embodiment the gaming device providesdynamic sounds coupled with attractive multimedia images displayed onone or more of the display devices to provide an audio-visualrepresentation or to otherwise display full-motion video with sound toattract players to the gaming device. During idle periods, the gamingdevice may display a sequence of audio and/or visual attraction messagesto attract potential players to the gaming device. The videos may alsobe customized to provide any appropriate information.

The gaming machine or device may include some or all of the features ofconventional gaming machines or devices. The primary or base game maycomprise any suitable reel-type game, cascading or falling symbol game,or other game of chance susceptible to representation in an electronicor electromechanical form, which in one embodiment produces a randomoutcome based on probability data at the time of or after placement of awager. That is, different primary wagering games, video slot machines orany other suitable primary or base game may be implemented.

In one embodiment, no separate entry fee or buy-in for the bonus roundis needed. That is, a player may not be required to purchase entry to beeligible for the bonus round. In another embodiment, qualification ofthe bonus round is accomplished by the player making a separate side oradditional wager in a designated amount in the primary game to qualifyfor the bonus round.

In one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 2B, a gaming system comprisesone or more of the gaming devices 10 which are in communication witheach other and/or at least one central server, central controller orremote host 56 through a data network or remote communication link 58.In this embodiment, the central server, central controller or remotehost is any suitable server or computing device which includes at leastone processor and at least one memory or storage device. In differentsuch embodiments, the central server is a progressive controller or aprocessor of one of the gaming devices in the gaming system. In theseembodiments, the processor of each gaming device is designed to transmitand receive events, messages, commands, or any other suitable data orsignal between the individual gaming device and the central server. Thegaming device processor is operable to execute such communicated events,messages, or commands in conjunction with the operation of the gamingdevice. Moreover, the processor of the central server is designed totransmit and receive events, messages, commands, or any other suitabledata or signal between the central server and each of the individualgaming devices. The central server processor is operable to execute suchcommunicated events, messages, or commands in conjunction with theoperation of the central server. It should be appreciated that one, moreor each of the functions of the central controller as disclosed hereinmay be performed by one or more gaming device processors. It should befurther appreciated that one, more or each of the functions of one ormore gaming device processors as disclosed herein may be performed bythe central controller.

In one embodiment, the game outcome provided to the player is determinedby a central server or central controller and provided to the player atthe gaming device. In this embodiment, each of a plurality of suchgaming devices are in communication with the central server or centralcontroller. Upon a player initiating game play at one of the gamingdevices, the initiated gaming device communicates a game outcome requestto the central server or central controller.

In an alternative embodiment, the central server or controller maintainsone or more predetermined pools or sets of predetermined game outcomes.In this embodiment, the central server or controller receives the gameoutcome request and independently selects a predetermined game outcomefrom a set or pool of game outcomes. The central server or controllerflags or marks the selected game outcome as used. Once a game outcome isflagged as used, it is prevented from further selection from the set orpool and cannot be selected by the central controller or server uponanother wager.

The central server or controller communicates the generated or selectedgame outcome to the initiated gaming device. The gaming device receivesthe generated or selected game outcome and provides the game outcome tothe player. In an alternative embodiment, how the generated or selectedgame outcome is to be presented or displayed to the player, such as areel symbol combination of a slot machine, is also determined by thecentral server or controller and communicated to the initiated gamingdevice to be presented or displayed to the player. Central production orcontrol can assist a gaming establishment or other entity in maintainingappropriate records, controlling gaming, reducing and preventingcheating or electronic or other errors, reducing or eliminating win-lossvolatility, and the like.

In another embodiment, the gaming system comprises one or more of thegaming devices which are in communication with a central server orcontroller for monitoring purposes only. That is, each individual gamingdevice randomly generates the game outcomes to be provided to the playerand the central server or controller monitors the activities and eventsoccurring on the plurality of gaming devices. In one embodiment, thegaming network includes a real time or on-line accounting and gaminginformation system operably coupled to the central server or controller.The accounting and gaming information system of this embodiment includesa player database for storing player profiles, a player tracking modulefor tracking players and a credit system for providing automated casinotransactions.

In one embodiment, the gaming device disclosed herein is associated withor otherwise integrated with one or more player tracking systems. Playertracking systems enable gaming establishments to recognize the value ofcustomer loyalty through identifying frequent customers and rewardingthem for their patronage. In one embodiment, the gaming device and/orplayer tracking system tracks any player's gaming activity at the gamingdevice. In one such embodiment, the gaming device includes at least onecard reader 27 in communication with the processor 12. In thisembodiment, a player is issued a player identification card which has anencoded player identification number that uniquely identifies theplayer. When a player inserts their playing tracking card into the cardreader to begin a gaming session, the card reader reads the playeridentification number off the player tracking card to identify theplayer. The gaming device and/or associated player tracking systemtimely tracks any suitable information or data relating to theidentified players gaming session. Directly or via the centralcontroller, the gaming device processor communicates such information tothe player tracking system. The gaming device and/or associated playertracking system also timely tracks when a player removes their playertracking card when concluding play for that gaming session. In anotherembodiment, rather than requiring a player to insert a player trackingcard, the gaming device utilizes one or more portable devices carried bya player, such as a cell phone, a radio frequency identification tag orany other suitable wireless device to track when a player begins andends a gaming session. In another embodiment, the gaming device utilizesany suitable biometric technology or ticket technology to track when aplayer begins and ends a gaming session.

During one or more gaming sessions, the gaming device and/or playertracking system tracks any suitable information or data, such as anyamounts wagered, average wager amounts, and/or the time at which thesewagers are placed. In different embodiments, for one or more players,the player tracking system includes the player's account number, theplayer's card number, the player's first name, the player's surname, theplayer's preferred name, the player's player tracking ranking, anypromotion status associated with the player's player tracking card, theplayer's address, the player's birthday, the player's anniversary, theplayer's recent gaming sessions, or any other suitable data. In oneembodiment, such tracked information and/or any suitable featureassociated with the player tracking system is displayed on a playertracking display which can be shown on the video screen 20 or providedat any other suitable location on the gaming machine 10. In anotherembodiment, such tracked information and/or any suitable featureassociated with the player tracking system is displayed via one or moreservice windows which are displayed on the central display device and/orthe upper display device.

In one embodiment, a plurality of the gaming devices is capable of beingconnected together through a data network. In one embodiment, the datanetwork is a local area network (LAN), in which one or more of thegaming devices are substantially proximate to each other and an on-sitecentral server or controller as in, for example, a gaming establishmentor a portion of a gaming establishment. In another embodiment, the datanetwork is a wide area network (WAN) in which one or more of the gamingdevices are in communication with at least one off-site central serveror controller. In this embodiment, the plurality of gaming devices maybe located in a different part of the gaming establishment or within adifferent gaming establishment than the off-site central server orcontroller. Thus, the WAN may include an off-site central server orcontroller and an off-site gaming device located within gamingestablishments in the same geographic area, such as a city or state. TheWAN gaming system may be substantially identical to the LAN gamingsystem described above, although the number of gaming devices in eachsystem may vary relative to one another.

In another embodiment, the data network is an internet or intranet. Inthis embodiment, the operation of the gaming device can be viewed at thegaming device with at least one internet browser. In this embodiment,operation of the gaming device and accumulation of credits may beaccomplished with only a connection to the central server or controller(the internet/intranet server) through a conventional phone or otherdata transmission line, digital subscriber line (DSL), T-1 line, coaxialcable, fiber optic cable, or other suitable connection. In thisembodiment, players may access an internet game page from any locationwhere an internet connection and computer or other internet facilitatoris available. The expansion in the number of computers and number andspeed of internet connections in recent years increases opportunitiesfor players to play from an ever-increasing number of remote sites. Itshould be appreciated that the enhanced bandwidth of digital wirelesscommunications may render such technology suitable for some or allcommunications, particularly if such communications are encrypted.Higher data transmission speeds may be useful for enhancing thesophistication and response of the display and interaction with theplayer.

As mentioned above, in one embodiment, the present invention may beemployed in a server-based gaming system. In one such embodiment, asdescribed above, one or more gaming devices are in communication with acentral server or controller. The central server or controller may beany suitable server or computing device which includes at least oneprocessor and a memory or storage device. In alternative embodiments,the central server is a progressive controller or another gaming machinein the gaming system. In one embodiment, the memory device of thecentral server stores different game programs and instructions,executable by a gaming device processor, to control the gaming device.Each executable game program represents a different game or type of gamewhich may be played on one or more of the gaming devices in the gamingsystem. Such different games may include the same or substantially thesame game play with different pay tables. In different embodiments, theexecutable game program is for a primary game, a secondary game or both.In another embodiment, the game program may be executable as a secondarygame to be played simultaneous with the play of a primary game (whichmay be downloaded to or fixed on the gaming device) or vice versa.

In this embodiment, each gaming device at least includes one or moredisplay devices and/or one or more input devices for interaction with aplayer. A local processor, such as the above-described gaming deviceprocessor or a processor of a local server, is operable with the displaydevice(s) and/or the input device(s) of one or more of the gamingdevices.

In operation, the central controller is operable to communicate one ormore of the stored game programs to at least one local processor. Indifferent embodiments, the stored game programs are communicated ordelivered by embedding the communicated game program in a device or acomponent (e.g., a microchip to be inserted in a gaming device), writingthe game program on a disc or other media, or downloading or streamingthe game program over a dedicated data network, interne, or a telephoneline. After the stored game programs are communicated from the centralserver, the local processor executes the communicated program tofacilitate play of the communicated program by a player through thedisplay device(s) and/or input device(s) of the gaming device. That is,when a game program is communicated to a local processor, the localprocessor changes the game or type of game played at the gaming device.

In one embodiment, the controller is programmed to enable the player toplay the bonus game at a selected time (e.g., immediately, at a latertime, or during a different gaming session).

In one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the gaming device 10includes at least one and preferably a plurality of reels 60, such asthree to five reels, in either electromechanical form with mechanicalrotating reels or video form with simulated reels and movement thereof.In one embodiment, an electromechanical slot machine includes aplurality of adjacent, rotatable reels which may be combined andoperably coupled with an electronic display of any suitable type. Inanother embodiment, if the reels 60 are in video form, one or more ofthe display devices 20, as described above, display the plurality ofsimulated video reels 60. Each reel 60 displays a plurality of indiciaor symbols, such as bells, hearts, fruits, numbers, letters, bars orother images which preferably correspond to a theme associated with thegaming device. In another embodiment, one or more of the reels areindependent reels or unisymbol reels. In this embodiment, eachindependent or unisymbol reel generates and displays one symbol to theplayer. In one embodiment, the gaming device awards prizes after thereels of the primary game stop spinning if specified types and/orconfigurations of indicia or symbols occur on an active pay line orotherwise occur in a winning pattern, occur on the requisite number ofadjacent reels and/or occur in a scatter pay arrangement. The videoreels 160 use one or more pay lines. The pay lines may be horizontal,vertical, circular, diagonal, angled or any combination thereof.

As shown in FIG. 1, the gaming machine 10 also may include a seconddisplay area 22 and a third display area 49. In these areas, can containinformation about the game or can be used to display the secondary game,bonus game or bonus round. The gaming machine 10 also includes a buttonpanel 37 which provides the mounting area for a plurality of buttonsused by the player to operate the gaming machine. A bill acceptor 52 isalso provided in any suitable location into which the player can insertpaper currency, tickets, or coupons which are also used to make wagersor to accrue credits on the credit meter 24.

The layout of the gaming machine 10 shown in FIG. 1 is onlyrepresentative of one suitable layout and other layouts may be used asdesired.

In an embodiment, each of the slot games would have a five slot reeldisplay 60 using a five column by three row matrix. Alternatively, thegames could utilize any number of columns and rows, for example, a threecolumn by three row matrix, and the number of columns and the number ofrows would determine how many slot reels are displayed to the player.

As shown in FIG. 1, the button panel includes a SELECT PAY LINES button40, a BET PER LINE button 42, a MAX BET button 35, a SPIN REELS button36, a BET ONE button 34 and a CASHOUT button 32. Any or all of thesecontrol buttons may alternatively be displayed on the video displayscreen 22 as touch screen activated locations. If necessary, any numberof additional buttons may added to further facilitate control of thegames.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, a set of displaymeters are shown on the video display screen 22 to display informationabout the play of the slot machine. These display meters show the NUMBEROF PAY LINES 58, the AMOUNT BET PER LINE 54, the TOTAL BET 25 and theAMOUNT PAID 26. A Credit Meter display 24 shows the amount of theplayer's total credits that are available to use to play the gamingmachine or which may be cashed out when the player decides to stopplaying the gaming machine. As shown in FIG. 1, the player is startingwith seven hundred credits on Credit Meter 24.

To commence the play of the game, the player makes a wager to activatethe pay lines. As is conventional, the player makes a separate wager foreach pay line that the player wishes to play. Any number of reels andany number of pay lines can be provided. In an embodiment, there is useda 5×3 matrix using five reels and three rows of symbols. Also, in anembodiment, a total of nine pay lines in any suitable configuration isused.

A common theme can be used for the symbols to give the game an appeal tothe player. Any suitable theme and any suitable symbols made be usedincluding the traditional fruit symbols that have previously been usedin reel slot machines.

In an embodiment, the amount of the player's wager on each pay linewould be the same. Alternatively, the player could be allowed to makewagers of different amounts on each pay line.

Any suitable pay table can be used. The winning amounts and winningsymbol combinations shown in the pay table are based on the distributionof symbols and the mathematical return desired to be provided on thegaming machine as is conventional and well known to those skilled in theart.

A typical pay table is shown in Table 1:

TABLE 1 F-F-F-F-F . . . 2500 F-F-F-F . . . 500 F-F-F . . . 100 E-E-E-E-E500 E-E-E-E 300 E-E-E . . . 60 D-D-D-D-D 750 D-D-D-D 150 D-D-D 30C-C-C-C-C 500 C-C-C-C 100 C-C-C 20 B-B-B-B-B 250 B-B-B-B 50 B-B-B . . .10 A-A-A-A-A . . . 100 A-A-A-A . . . 20 .A-A-A 4

Each payout amount is based on a single credit wagered and would beincreased by the number of credits wagered on a winning pay line.

Using the appropriate input devices, the player makes a wager andselects the number of pay lines that the player wishes to play. Theplayer activates the play of the game by pressing the SPIN REELS button36 and the processor 12 in conjunction with the memory device 14 causesthe reels to spin, displays the results of the reels spin, anddetermines if the results of the reel spin is a winning outcome. Usingany suitable first pay table, such as Table 1, the processor 12 displaysan award if the reel spin result is a winning result according to thefirst pay table. The amount of the award can be displayed in anysuitable manner such as being shown in a WIN location.

In one embodiment, in addition to winning credits or other awards in abase or primary game, the gaming device also accrues the amount of eachwager made by the player on a VALUE meter 55 which may be displayed inany appropriate location on the gaming machine 10, such as in thedisplay area 49.

In one embodiment, the player may spend or allocate the value pointsdisplayed on the VALUE meter. As indicated above, in one embodiment, aplayer may lose value points which are unspent if the bonus round istriggered before the player reaches a predetermined value pointthreshold. Thus, a player who feels that the bonus round is about to betriggered may spend their value points to avoid losing them. As furtherindicated above, in one embodiment, if the VALUE meter accrues apredetermined amount, the player earns the ability to go to a bonusround and spend all of those points.

As shown in FIG. 3, this bonus round can be shown in a display 120 onthe gaming machine 10 and may take the form of participation in a socialnetworking event such as FARMVILLE. In a game such as FARMVILLE, playerstend crops, livestock, improve fare machinery, paint the barn, etc. Theplayer can spend the value points on doing the same thing with the bonustheme. The player can spend the value points to improve the corn crop,obtain more fertilizer, to yield a bigger crop. Or the player can spendthe value points for more hay form the cows, or better hay, or to obtainclover instead of straw.

The player takes time from the base video slot game when the gameallows, at a predetermined value point amount. So the money bet by theplayer in the base video slot game is, in theory, not wasted.

So why tend the farm? Simple, the value points increase the harvest ofcorn. For example as shown in FIG. 4, if a player isolates all the valuepoints on the corn crop, when the bonus round is triggered in normalplay, and a random draw is played, if the wheel of fortune 130 spins andlands on, in this case, corn, the value of the win will be multiplied bythe amount of value points the player has dedicated to the corn crop.

As described above, in one embodiment of the invention a player playsone or more base or primary games at a gaming device and has theopportunity to participate in a bonus event at the gaming machine oron-line. In another embodiment, the base or primary game may comprise anon-line game or games. For example, a player might participate in asocial networking related game or other on-line games. By playing suchgames, a player might accrue points or other elements or features. Thosepoints or features might be applied by a player to the play of a game ata gaming machine, such as to increase the winnings for a winningoutcome.

As one example, a player might play an on-line symbol collection game.The player might, as a result of a period of play, collect a “7” symbolor a number of points. The player might apply that “7” symbol to theoutcome of a slot-type wagering game. For example, the player mightobtain a 7-7-Star result in a slot-type game. The player might apply thecollected “7” symbol to covert the outcome of the game to a winning7-7-7 result. Alternatively, the player might apply accrued to the oneor more casino wagering games. For example, the points might comprise amultiplier to a winning outcome of the game.

The invention may be implemented in various manners. While the inventionhas been described with reference to the award and use of value points,the invention might be implemented in other ways, such as via the awardand use of symbols, icons or various other elements. For example, whilea player might accrue points associated with the play of base games,instead of points the player might be awarded or attempt to collect aplurality of special symbols (such as where the symbols are awarded foreach wager placed by the player). The collected symbols or otherelements might be used in various manners, such as relative to the bonusevent. As indicated, value points or other elements might be used toincrease a payout for a winning outcome. For example, the value pointsor other elements might change pay table win values (such as byincreasing them from a base level or value to a higher value), act as amultiplier or otherwise change the amount that the player is paid for awinning result from a base value.

It will be understood that the above described arrangements of apparatusand the method there from are merely illustrative of applications of theprinciples of this invention and many other embodiments andmodifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe invention as defined in the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A slot machine configured to allow a singleplayer to play a slot machine game comprising: at least one inputdevice; at least one display device; at least one processor; and atleast one memory device which stores a plurality of instructions which,when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least oneprocessor to operate with the at least one display device and the atleast one input device to: a) establish a first pay table associatedwith a final reels spin result; b) enable the player, using at least oneinput device, to make at least one wager on a first pay line, the amountof each wager being accrued as a point value; c) after the player makesthe at least one wager, cause the display device to display to theplayer a plurality spinning reels, to stop the spinning reels and todisplay a final reels spin result of the spinning reels after thespinning reels have stopped; d) cause the display device to display afirst award based on the first pay table to the player if the finalreels spin result is a winning outcome according to the first pay table;and e) when the point value accrues to a predetermined value, cause thedisplay device to display a bonus round comprising a game play ofFARMVILLE.
 2. The method of operating a slot machine game in which asingle player plays against a first pay table, the method comprising: a)establishing a first pay table associated with a final reels spinresult; b) the player making at least one wager on a first pay line, theamount of each wager being accrued as a point value; c) after the playermakes the at least one wager, displaying to the player a pluralityspinning reels, stopping the spinning reels and displaying a final reelsspin result of the spinning reels after the spinning reels have stopped;d) making a first award based on the first pay table to the player ifthe final reels spin result is a winning outcome according to the firstpay table; and when the point value accrues to a predetermined value,cause the display device to display a bonus round comprising a game playof FARMVILLE.